Original Item: Only One Available. The Springfield Model 1812 Musket was a .69 caliber, flintlock musket designed and manufactured by the Springfield Armory. In the years after the War of 1812, due to deficiencies perceived in the model 1795, the U.S. wanted them quickly replaced, and so also contracted out various orders to gun manufacturers of the time. Individual states also had their own contracts for their militias, and this is one such musket, and it is definitely a rare and interesting example with a long history!

This is one of only 1500 muskets produced for the state militia of Virginia, who contracted out the work, as indicated on the lock plate, which was originally marked with VIRGINIA / Manufactory under the pan, and RICHMOND / 1820 on the lock plate tail. The musket has seen long service and repeated cleanings, which with have made the original markings faint, however using a 16X magnifier we can see that they are definitely there, with the "Manufactory" partly worn away. We checked the metalwork thoroughly, and were not able to locate any other markings, but it does look like there were some markings stamped into the right side of the buttstock at one point, as well as some just below the trigger guard tang. We were not able to identify these, but perhaps someone more familiar with these might be able to make out what they say.

This configuration is considered the "2nd Model" of this musket, which replaced the earlier model of 1797. The design is based heavily on the U.S. Springfield Model 1812 musket, and did not include any of the model 1816 improvements, such as the lower sling swivel being attached directly to the trigger guard, as opposed to having a separate mounting piece. As only approximately 1,500 of these were made in total, any example can be considered very rare after 200 years.

As with many flintlock rifles in service, this example was converted to percussion, and the type of conversion is very typical of the type performed at confederate arsenals during the U.S. Civil War. It does not look like a breech plug was used, but there was still a crude cap nipple cone bolster added over the touch hole on the right side of the breech. The flash pan was completely removed, and piece of metal inserted at the top, unlike the Federal conversions, which would use a bolster that fit into the recess on the lock plate. The holes for the frizzen and frizzen spring were plugged. The original hammer has been replaced with a percussion hammer, which is also a bit crude in construction. We checked the functionality, and the lock still holds correctly at half cock, firing at full.

The musket measures 56 3/4", with a 41 3/4" barrel, so it is just 1/4" shorter than the "official" specification, but during this time they were not entirely standardized yet. Most interestingly, this example is definitely in .75 caliber, not the usual .69 seen in U.S. muskets of the time. We do not have any explanation for this, and leave it as a curiosity or excellent research opportunity. We previously had two other examples that were still in flintlock, and they were also in .75 caliber.

Overall condition is very good, considering the amount of service this musket saw, having been in use for decades, and then pressed back into service for the Civil War, where it saw extensive use. The metalwork overall shows a peppered patina from past peppering and rust, now removed. Both sling swivels are present and move easily, and there is an original ramrod under the barrel, which still has threads on the end. The stock is in lovely condition, with the fantastic red brown color of aged American black walnut. There is definitely wear including dents, scratches, and other issues, along with some cracking around the lock plate area. There is however no major damage or evidence of past repairs.

A fine example of an early Southern Martial musket of this then new Country, later converted for percussion for use during the Civil War. In wonderful matured condition, ready to research and display!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: 1820
Caliber: .75"
Cartridge Type: Ball and Powder
Barrel Length: 41 3/4 Inches
Overall Length: 56 3/43 Inches
Action type: Side Action Flintlock
Feed System: Muzzle Loading

History of the Model 1812 Musket:

The War of 1812 revealed many weaknesses in the earlier Model 1795 Musket. The Model 1812 was an attempt to improve both the design and manufacturing process of the musket. The design borrowed heavily from the French Charleville model 1777 musket. The Springfield Model 1812 musket arrived too late to be of use in the War of 1812 but would later become standard issue to regular infantry and militia units.

The Model 1812 was a .69 caliber smoothbore musket, with a 42-inch (107 cm) barrel and a 54-inch (137 cm) stock, and a total length of 57-inch (145 cm). The Model 1812 was produced only at Springfield: the M1795 would continue in production at Harpers Ferry into 1818.

The Model 1812 was produced in a quantity of almost 30,000 between the years 1814 and 1816. It was replaced by the Model 1816 Musket. However, the Model 1812 remained in service for many years, and was even used in the American Civil War, mostly by the Confederate forces. By the start of the Civil war, the weapon was considered to be old and obsolete but was needed to fill arms shortages.

Some Model 1812 muskets were later converted to percussion lock firing mechanisms. The percussion cap system was much more reliable and weatherproof than the flintlock system used on the Model 1812 in its original configuration.

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